“Eyes Wide Open” is a 2009 Israeli drama film directed by Haim Tabakman and starring Zohar Strauss and Ran Danker. The film tells the story of Aaron, a married Hasidic Jewish man who runs a butcher shop in Jerusalem, who begins a forbidden romance with a young male student named Ezri.
Review:
“Eyes Wide Open” is a poignant and sensitive portrayal of the struggles faced by LGBTQ individuals in orthodox Jewish communities. Zohar Strauss and Ran Danker deliver powerful performances as the two men caught between their love for each other and the strict religious and cultural norms of their community. The film is a powerful exploration of the tensions between tradition and personal freedom, and the devastating consequences of denying one’s true self.
Awards:
“Eyes Wide Open” won several awards and nominations, including the Best Israeli Feature Film Award at the 2009 Jerusalem Film Festival and the Best Feature Film Award at the 2010 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
Popularity:
“Eyes Wide Open” was a critical success upon its release, but did not have a wide commercial release. It has a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb and an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s honest and empathetic portrayal of the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in religious communities has made it an important and thought-provoking work of cinema.
| Directed by | Haim Tabakman |
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| Written by | Merav Doster |
| Produced by | Raphael Katz |
| Starring | Ran Danker Zohar Strauss |
| Cinematography | Axel Schneppat |
| Edited by | Dov Steuer |
| Music by | Nathaniel Méchaly |
| Distributed by | Peccadillo Pictures |
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Release dates
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Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Hebrew |
| Box office | $276,576 |
